1. 4th European Alcohol Policy Conference
Brussels, June 2010
Food information to consumers: State of play
Francesca VOLPI

2. Health & Consumers Directorate General
Commission proposal for a Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers
(COM(2008) 40 final)

3. Issues targeted Simplification General principles Legibility of label
Non-prepacked food
Distance selling of food
Origin labelling
Alcoholic beverages
Nutrition information 3

4. Alcoholic beverages 4

5. The Commission’s proposal
Acknowledgement that such products have to provide information to consumers
Alcoholic drinks, including ready to drink mixtures, to bear full ingredient listing and nutrition information
Derogations for beer, wine and spirits pending a review by the Commission to determine suitable labelling of these foods after 5 years of the entry into force of the Regulation 5

6. Council Broadly endorsement of the Commission’s proposal
Discussions on going to clarify the scope of the temporary derogation 6

7. European Parliament Vote at first reading took place on 16 June 2010
EP voted amendments for a temporary derogation from the obligation to list the ingredients and to provide for a nutrition declaration for all alcoholic beverages

8. Next steps
Common position from the Council expected under the Belgian Presidency
Presentation of a modified Commission proposal in September 2010
Final adoption end of 2011 or later

9. More information available at: